Patience-Just Do It

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV Bible Gateway 

Patience is a fruit of the spirit mentioned in Galatians 5 in the New Testament. I have heard don’t pray for patience or God will send a test your way to help develop patience. 

Patience is especially important for waiting on the answer to prayer. It isn’t easy but it is necessary. 

Keep looking straight ahead and know that nothing good normally happens instantly. 

PRAYER: Father I need help being able to be still and stand firm as I develop stronger patience muscles. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Hey Where Is My Cheeseburger?

Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick tempered displays folly. Proverbs 14:29

 On a recent trip to visit my mom in Kentucky I stopped at a major fast food chain that definitely had some management issues. Every worker was slow. One female employee had burned her hand on coffee and was grimacing in pain as she continued to work. I told her to go to her manager and ice it down. Customers were grumbling about their long wait for 'fast food'. I looked at this opportunity as a time to try to impart some joy.

When people want something quickly they do not usually smile much and may make ugly comments while they wait. None of that accomplishes anything. It is best to take it easy and realize this too shall pass.

 Look around you for opportunities to show patience and kindness to others.

 PRAYER: Thank you for so many blessings. Forgive me when I grumble or pout. I want to develop Christlikeness in the area of learning to wait. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The Line..The Wait

                   

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

No one I know likes to wait especially if it is unexpected and they are in a hurry. Recently I stopped to find a coffee place going down I 65 and I need not mention which one. It was the most crowded of their chain stores I had ever seen, even in New York City. The line grew longer and patience grew thinner. Smiles turned into looks of frustration. I began chatting with a customer next to me passing through from Florida to Wisconsin. Even though I wished they were faster, I was not late for anything so just hung in there. 

Waiting is not fun and at times very difficult to do. It could be waiting in a line, waiting for news from a doctor, waiting for a phone call, waiting for test results at school, waiting for an important letter. Whatever it is it is necessary to focus on something else while you wait. Probably waiting for an answer to prayer is especially difficult. But we press on and pray on holding onto hope not listening to doubters or nay sayers, simply believing and trusting. 

What are you waiting for today? Are you able to calm your heart and be still while you wait? 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you that I know you hold the future no matter what it is. I know you will help me press on as I wait for things to include answers to my prayers. In Jesus' name. Amen.

                       Click link below for song of hope:

                   http://youtu.be/Bb7TSGptd3Y

Patience, Patience

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

I am known by many as the 'energizer bunny'. I spring out and take off sometimes not meaning to leave others behind. Sometimes perfect strangers say to me, "slow down, you are wearing me out" or "slow down, you are making others look bad." I just have an abundance of energy and am thankful for it even though sometimes the wisecracks from folks hurt me just a bit. I am grateful God has given this energy to me. I have had people say, "No more caffeine for you!" 

When you are energetic sometimes it can work in your detriment too if you do not take time to stop, wait, and think things through. I am getting better at it, but it takes discipline and practice. Even if you are not bubbling over with energy you may still be impatient. Patience is a fruit of the spirit. Waiting is actually a good thing and God has a purpose in it. Rushing things often brings disastrous results. We can do things we later regret.

If this area of waiting and being patient is hard for you, go to God in prayer and let Him hear your heart. Do not try to 'play God' and rush things along as it only gets you into a pit you have a hard time escaping from. Just learn to wait. 

PRAYER: I need patience and need it right now, is the comical prayer some may have prayed. Patience often comes through trials so prepare my heart for anything I need to go through while I develop patience. In Jesus' name. Amen.

You Have Need Of Patience

Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

As I sat gazing at a lady in her van at a coffee shop, myself being inside by the register, as we both waited and waited and waited some more for our order, I simply smiled at her and shrugged. Why get upset? Our world is so much for instant everything. That is not God's way. When things don't happen fast or according to our time table it is easy to give up or get mad.

This is not what God wants. Throughout the Bible are stories of waiting. Man's way is always rushing and getting things now. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately, God does not operate according to our rules. I know I am thankful for that! His plan is better and sometimes it involves waiting.

Do you have a problem with trusting God and waiting? Just as a farmer waits for a crop or lady  waits for her newborn baby, we too need to develop patience so as to not wreck God's plan.

PRAYER:Lord I am thankful for the times I learned to wait and want to forget the times I messed things up by not. Thanks for guiding me along the way. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Potholes

Dear friends, do not be surprised by the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12(NIV)

 In life there will be bumps in the road where maybe you just feel you are not doing the right thing. You try and try and things seem to not change. When I am driving and do not see a pothole up ahead then all of a sudden, kerplunk, I crash right into it, I feel a sense of frustration at myself. Why can't the road crews do a better job fixing these things you might think. This is often how we might feel when things are not going the way we wish they would. It is like life is one big "pothole" and we keep driving right into it.

God is there beside you all the way, even when you fall into these little holes. He wants you to be strong in these situations and uses them in a way to prepare you for even more things that may happen. He is not bringing these bad things into your life but in the end they can indeed strengthen you.

PRAYER: Forgive me Lord when I have whined and complained about bad things that may happen to me. Help me to be able to praise you no matter what because I know you are with me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

INSTANT JESUS!

Today in 2013, those growing up, at least in America hardly know what it is like to wait. No more waiting for film to be developed to get pictures. No more waiting to hear from a friend via snail mail as email and texts are prevalent. In an instant gratification world it can be difficult to teach children how to wait. In order to grow up healthy and whole it is very critical to teach children the value of waiting.

We can get to a point in life with lack of patience when we expect Jesus to hear us and answer us NOW! My friend it does not work that way. Patience is one of the "fruits of the spirit" mentioned in the Bible in Galatians 5:22-23. Patience is a vey good virtue to teach children. Have you ever heard the saying "Good things come to those who wait"? There is truth in that.

When a woman is pregnant she has to be patient until the baby is ready to be born. Making it come into the world too early will either result in death or other problems.

Isaiah 40:30-33 says 'Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.'

PRAYER: Help me Lord as I seek to be patient and wait for your timing in things. Guide me to do and say the right thing and keep my heart from evil. In Jesus' name. Amen.

BLOW IT OFF...DON'T BLOW UP!

 So many fights and arguments could be alleviated in life if people would just learn to not take things so seriously, be patient, and thank God for the good things and overlook the not so good.
 For instance, recently I was flying standby as a family member on the airline my son works for. This was the day of the huge ice storms that affected the cancellation of many flights into and out of Dallas. Guess where I was changing planes? You got it. Dallas! Needless to say when air travelers plans are messed up either by maintenance issues, crew issues, or weather there are some personalities who it does not sit well with. As I was writing this in Huntsville I was not seeing those frazzled nerves yet as it was still early in the course of the travel day.
 Being upset about things out of our control is a waste of time. It is better to go with the flow or as my Chicago friend Diane used to say about issues that upset me, "Blow it off". Very good advice for all sorts of things. Try to display the fruits of the Spirit in all of life. Don't "blow up" but remain n control and make believe Jesus is right there with you. He is you know.
Matthew 5:9(NIV) says 'Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.' When the unexpected happens to you remain in control or do you stay peaceful? Start today to develop the attitude of joy and peace no matter what is going on around you. Others will wonder what's up and may even ask you.
PRAYER: Thank you Lord for mobility to get around and do things. Thank you for the blessing of changed plans because sometimes those are "God moments" that we do not yet see or understand. Give me peace and joy as I learn to be flexible. In Jesus' name. Amen.

IRRITATIONS OF LIFE

Call them what you like. Annoyances, pet peeves, distractions, but most everyone at one time or another has experienced something in life that rubs them the wrong way. What are we as believers to do about this? Are we to be "like the world" and simply spout off, get agitated, or become "righteously indignant" or do we hold our tongue and pray? Yes we all have feelings and emotions but it is that fruit of the spirit called "self control" that we need to learn to develop in our life if things or people irritate you to the point you do not feel "Christian". I must admit I have spoken up in a kind way a couple times at a movie theater when the people behind me insisted on talking instead of watching the movie.

Many times it is better to overlook something than to cause a confrontation. Proverbs 19:11(NIV) reminds us 'A person's wisdom yields patience, it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.' Our mouth comes into play here as well as our emotions often cause us to not think and say things we regret later. Proverbs 14:29(NIV) says 'Whoever is patient has great understanding but one who is quick tempered displays folly.'

Do you choose to be foolish or wise?

PRAYER: I want to be able to be a shining light for you Jesus wherever I go. To do this I need to control my thoughts, my emotions, and my mouth. Give me the self control needed to live a life pleasing to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

1, 2, 3 .....BREATHE

Do you ever catch yourself just getting out of control and rushed or hyper? Things may not be going your way. Maybe you are stuck in traffic and are late getting somewhere. You could be at the grocery store behind someone with 100 coupons to redeem(seriously). Could be your Internet connection is too slow for your liking. Let's say you are in line at a "fast food" drive thru which is anything but fast. Regardless of your situation these are opportunities to learn patience. One, two, three, now breathe. It does not pay to raise your blood pressure over minor inconveniences of life. 

Patience. What a virtue to work towards. Having patience will help life in general go much smoother and cause lots less headaches. Do you consider yourself a patient person or do the scenarios above describe you? 

Proverbs 14:29(NIV) says 'A patient man has great understanding but a quick tempered man observes folly.' When impatience starts rearing its' ugly head it can create angry words and even fights. Best to ask God to help you overlook some things. You will be better off for it in the long run. 

PRAYER: it is my desire to go through my life with patience. Seems at times it is very difficult to do this. I need your help Lord to conquer the urge to get rushed and do things stupid. Help me Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

GOD, WHEN?

What are you waiting for in life? You pray, you wait. Nothing seems to happen. You cry out "God just when will you get me out of this mess?" Sometimes in life God wants us to grow to be more like Him and that often requires patience while we wait. Maybe you feel you just can not hold on any longer. It could be a situation you are waiting for in your life or a breakthrough in the life of a loved one. Regardless how you feel God has not abandoned you.

James 5:7(NIV) is similar to the topic I wrote about yesterday. It says 'Be patient then brothers and sisters until the Lord's coming.See how the farmer waits for the land to yield it's valuable crop patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.'

Can you trust God has a plan and sit back and keep praying and relax? His timetable is not the same as ours.

Isaiah 55:8(KJV) says 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.' Keep going to God in pray and in the meantime do not forget to praise Him for who He is and thank Him for the answers to prayer as well.

PRAYER: Dear Lord I ask for you to help me as I wait on you and wait on answers to prayers. I know you are doing a perfect work and I need to trust you and not be afraid. In Jesus' name. Amen.

HURRY UP, WILL YOU!!

Patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that is very important to try to cultivate, with God's help, in your life. I often have heard if we pray for patience to look out as many "tests" will come. Seems like in order to learn certain things we need much practice in order to master them. For instance,I am a runner and when I used to run in races on a regular basis, it took a dedicated regimen of training. I could not expect to run in a 10 K race and not become injured if I did not properly train.

Likewise training in patience is sorely needed if we are to ever be able to sit and be still without become agitated.

Galatians 5:22-23(NIV) says 'But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance(patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law. Without patience it is hard to let some of the other fruits of the Spirit "grow" in your life.

Do you have a hard time cultivating this in your life? Be honest with yourself. Do you become easily agitated when things don't happen NOW?

Ephesians 4:1-3 says to us 'I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in it manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.'

My friends if you know you need to work on this area, do not be afraid to pray and ask for God to help you. Your life for the Lord can be so much more peaceful when you are able to get a hold on this and continue working on perfecting it each and every day of your life.

PRAYER:Lord at times it is hard to wait. To wait on test results from school or the doctor, to wait to find out if I get hired for a job, and a myriad of other waiting scenarios. I know Lord with your help I can master this in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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THE 24 HOUR RULE

How many times in your life have you said or done something on the impulse and wish you could take it back? I know I have several times. The mouth and not thinking can really cause trouble,embarrassment, and hurt feelings.

It was suggested to me that before you react to a situation and embarrass yourself maybe give it at least a 24 hour period as more than likely you will not say or do what you did since you were reacting on impulse.

What is needed here? Patience and prayer are two things that come to mind. Galatians 5:22-23 says 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.' When you pray for patience, look out, because some "tests" may come your way. Self control can help you with not speaking when you should be quiet.

People acting on impulse can send a letter that they wish they could take back of the mailbox at the post office. Maybe before you had time to really think about something you can not hold your tongue. Emails,texts and voice mails can be left and the next day you say "I wish I could take it back!' Ouch!

Below are some verses from Proverbs that deal with speaking when we should remain quiet at least for a 24 Hour period.

Proverbs 13:3(NLT) 'Those who control their tongue will have a long life, opening your mouth can ruin everything.'

Proverbs 21:23(NIV) 'Those who guard their mouth and tongue keep their life from calamity.'

Proverbs 18:21(NIV) 'The tongue has the power of death and life and those who love it will eat it it's fruit.'

Proverbs 10:19(NIV) 'Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.'

Proverbs 17:27(NIV) 'The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,and whoever is understanding is even tempered.'

Proverbs 15:28(NIV) 'The heart of the righteous weighs its' answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.'

Proverbs 29:11(AKJV) 'A fool utters all his mind but a wise man keeps it till afterward.'

So you see that the Bible has much to say about our mouth and what comes out of it. When you have time someday do a word search in The Bible about words and the tongue. There are many more where the ones above came from.

PRAYER: Lord I need self control only you can give. I choose to speak wisely and not out of impulse. Help me stop and wait and think what I am about to say and if there is no goodness in it to refrain from opening my mouth. Help the words I say only bring glory to you. In Jesus' name. Amen!

YOUR EFFORT OR TRUST GOD?

When you feel God is not working or not working fast enough have you ever taken matters into your own hands? You probably know what the outcome of that will be. Many stories in the Bible of impatient people do not have good endings.

It is so difficult to wait and trust God. We pray, cry out to God, and yet nothing. Perhaps it is time to know God heard you and to try to put your focus somewhere else. Think of ways to help others. Write a letter to someone without access to a computer or without the knowledge of how to even use one. Find a project to get involved in. Volunteer your time somewhere. Pray for the needs of others as well. Clean your house. Go to the gym or out for a walk. These are just some ideas. I heard someone once say "Helping you is helping me" and as a matter of fact I think it might even be a book title. But it is very true. Focus on something else and do not try to play God. Bible teacher Joyce Meyer coined the term "Holy Spirit Junior" which I love and use lots.

Say you are waiting for your prayers to be answered for a family member. Maybe it is your spouse. You can not wait so you open up your mouth and say something you wish you had not. In other words tried to be his or her "Holy Spirit Junior". Not a good idea.

Today try to have your quiet time and lift up your concerns but then know you have given them to the Lord and He cares and He has as a plan. Trust Him.

'Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not unto your own understanding. In all our ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.' Proverbs 3:5-6(NIV)

PRAYER: Thank you Lord that you hear my prayer. Thank you Lord for helping me to be patient. Forgive me Lord when all I do is worry. You want me to give my cares to you then let go. Help me as I seek to do that. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Note: To insure you receive this email when I happen to be out of town and having computer issues you can sign up for it on my blogspot site at www.godslemonadestand.blogspot.com. Be blessed today!

WAITING, WAITING, WAITING

Seems like much of life is about waiting. Waiting for the bus. Waiting for a baby to be born. Waiting for test results. Waiting for a doctor appointment. Waiting to hear back after a job interview. Waiting for our garden to grow so we have vegetables to eat. Waiting for a plane to arrive at the airport. Waiting for traffic at a stoplight. Waiting for a cake to get done we are baking.

It is evident it is necessary to be patient while we are waiting. In your prayer life you may have prayed and prayed and then prayed some more and are tired of waiting for a answer.  Waiting is part of life. Here in America we may be a little overboard on the impatience meter since we are used to instant results.

Patience is a "fruit of the Spirit" which needs to be exercised more and more. I often have heard we should not pray for patience as God may send "tests" our way till we develop it.

Are you patient or do you fall apart when things don't happen like you

think they should? Most people admit they do not like to wait. It is good to practice learning patience as it will greatly enhance the quality of your life and others around you.

Galatians 5:22-23 tells us 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self
control, against such things there is no law.'

PRAYER: Lord God I want to thank you for some of the trials in my life
for I know they helped me to learn patience. I want this "fruit" in my
life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

KILLS,STEALS, DESTROYS (PART TWO)

 

Recently I wrote about how the words we use have the power to kill, steal, and destroy. Another thing that can also "kill, steal, and destroy" is our impatience.

How many readers have observed an angry driver who is tailgating and
can not wait to pass often doing it in a no passing zone? Perhaps you
were the unfortunate witness to a T-bone or head on collision as a
result of someone's impatience to have to get to where they were
going and passing when it is unsafe?

Impatience can cause you to react to a situation before really thinking it over first. Being impatient can result in misspoken and often not well thought out words. Impatience can cause a person to buy something they do not need without first thinking it over or discussing it with their spouse.

You can see being impatient is not a good thing. When our first son was born he was three weeks beyond the anticipated due date. I remember the doctor saying "Don't want to take the cake out of the oven before it is done" and in this case you would wind up with a premature baby.
Rush, rush,rush. Fast food that takes five or more minutes sends some into a rage. Waiting at the doctors office may make your blood boil. It is essential to try to practice this very important "fruit of the Spirit" in order to have a healthy, balanced, loving, Christ centered life.
Galatians 5:22-23(NASB) says 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.' It is critical in order to walk with Jesus and be more like Him we develop and "grow" these fruits in our lives.
As for developing patience before we speak or email, Proverbs 29:29(NIV) says 'Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than him.' Ouch, now that hits home with me and maybe it does with some of you.
Let us constantly be seeking to imitate Christ in all that we do and maintain peace and patience.

PRAYER: Today Lord I need your help to not just blurt things out without thinking about how they affect others. I desire to lead a life where I can be patient. I know many "tests" will come my way and help me Lord to learn from them and pass them. In Jesus' name. Amen.

THE "LIGHTENING BOLT" GOD

 You may have heard someone say something to the effect that if God wants them to do a certain thing that maybe they do not want to, then He will have to hit them with a lightening bolt. God could do that if in fact he wanted to and of course the person would survive to do God's work or live for God or whatever it is God has planned for them.

God can give you a "wake up call" if He has to. He did it in the Bible many times. In Jonah chapter 1 in the Old Testament you may recall the story of Jonah not wanting to go to Nineveh to tell the people if they did not repent God would destroy their city. He ran away from God, which by the way is impossible as He knows where you are and there is no hiding. Read Jonah chapter one right now if you have your Bible handy.

Then there was the account of Daniel in the lions den found in Daniel chapter 6 in the Old Testament. (Read that as well). The evil rulers thought Daniel was killed and when they opened the doors of the den they saw the lions just lying there and Daniel very much alive! God had shut their mouths so they did not harm Daniel. Never doubt the awesome power of our mighty God even when a situation seams hopeless or impossible,

What are you waiting on? Your situation may not be as dire but know that God does care and He is in control and has a plan. Do not lose hope. A wayward child, a new job, a financial miracle, release from a court battle, healing, and a host of other situations can sure drag us down in a pit of despair at times. You cry out to God and He does hear you. Luke 18:1(NIV) says to 'Pray and never give up.' Luke 1:37(NLT) tells us 'Nothing is impossible to God.' Don't put God in a "box" thinking His capabilities are limited and He surely can not do certain things. He is God! The Alpha and The Omega.

Do not "entertain" doubts and fears and "what ifs" in your mind. God can perform miracles so keep believing.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you that nothing is too big or too hard for you. You care and you hear my prayers. I need your help to stay focused and be positive. I know the enemy will get me to fear and worry and with your help I will tell him to get behind me and stay there! I have victory in you! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link and worship the Lord in song.

http://youtu.be/-RRZgr7wNDs

STOP!! WAIT!! THINK!! PRAY!!CALM DOWN!! SHHH!!

Oh my goodness, the area of speaking before thinking is one area I could write oodles on. I am the queen of jumping to conclusions and making assumptions. This is a trait I do not like and am constantly working on. It is so critical in life to not be hasty especially in important decisions. In relationships with friends it is also important to think sometimes before speaking or answering email or texts. For those married, it is essential to be kind with your mouth to your spouse and try to keep being like you were when you were dating. 

Proverbs 29:20 (NIV) says 'Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for  him.'  That sort of summarizes it I would say. If you do not want to be classified as a fool then do not be blurting things out of your mouth without thinking first. Once those words go forth they can not be taken back. Sometimes a good rule of thumb, especially if you are angry or confused, is to wait 24 hours. I even wrote a devotion with that title a few weeks ago. 

Our words can sort of define us. Are you known for saying the wrong things, starting quarrels, lying, gossiping, hurting people or are you known as spreading cheer, giving praise and compliments, and being truthful and kind?  

1 Thessalonians 4:11(NIV) says 'Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands, just as we told you.'  Try to be known as the loving peacemaker and someone who is there to unite and encourage. I know encouragers are much more pleasant to be around than a griper or complainer. 

So there you have it. Stop,wait, think, pray, and calm down. It will improve your life dramatically.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I need your help to be careful what I say. Help me learn to slow down in all areas of life and to think before speaking. Thank you for loving me despite my faults. In Jesus' name. Amen.

JUST SAYING: NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!!

Do faith words or fear words come out of your mouth? Do you pray to God then in the next breath start to fret? Why even bother praying then? Remember worrying does not help get an answer to your pray any quicker. You offer your prayer up to the Lord and let Him take it  from there. Do you believe the scripture in Luke 1:37( NIV) which says 'Nothing is impossible with God.'  

        Why do you worry? Do you think God does not care?  God is bigger than our puny little problems. He has a plan for your life and it is not necessarily always about you. You need to trust Him for the outcome. Stop complaining to Him and be patient. Maybe that is half the battle training you in patience.  Don't pray then turn around and doubt him. What kind of prayer is that? 

Are you believing for something that seems impossible? Give your concern to God then let it go. Keep praising Him even when you do not see the answer. Even when things do not look good He has not left His throne. Have faith. 

There is a verse in Romans 4:17(NKJV) which says 'as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”  in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.'  For instance I would pray, 'Lord I thank you for giving me victory in this area.'  You pray this even before it has happened. Hebrews 11:8(ESV) says 'By faith Abraham believed when He was called to go out to a place that He was to receive an inheritance. And he went out not knowing where he was going.' 

Can you believe that God is the God of the impossible? Then let go and let Him work.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I believe so help my unbelief. I know you have great plans for me and for my family. I need only be still and trust. Give me power from on high to do just that. In Jesus' name. Amen.

24 HOURS..THE WAITING GAME

Why is it many people hate to wait? We wait in line for tickets to a
movie. We have to wait for test results. If you live in a big city you
might have to wait on the bus, a cab, or the subway. We have to be

patient for many things in life. It is necessary to wait to build up

enough savings to buy a new car or a house. Being hasty or in a rush
often times can cause trouble. We have to wait as it is part of life.

Recently in my blogs I have dealt with words and our speech. In the
Bible there is much to be found about the result of speaking in haste
or with impatience. Proverbs 29:20(NIV) says 'Do you see a man who
speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than him.' No one I
know of likes to be called foolish or a fool. It is a derogatory term
yet here in the pages of scripture it says speaking in haste is
foolish! James 1:19(NIV) reminds us 'My dear brothers take note of
this. Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get
angry.' Think about that for a moment. That anger needs to be tamed
to as it says in Ecclesiastes 7:9(NIV) 'Do not be quickly provoked in
your spirit as anger rests in the bosom of fools.' In Proverbs
14:29(NIV) it says 'A patient man has great understanding but a quick
tempered man displays folly.'

Have you ever been guilty at spewing forth words either face to face

or by email or texts that are not well thought out and can cause hurt,

misunderstanding or anger? It certainly is never intentional. We just

do not know how our words are going to be received. So this is where
today's title comes from. Recently a dear friend told me you should
wait at least 24 hours before sending a letter or an email as you may
not feel the same way tomorrow as when you wrote it therefore allowing
you time to process your emotions and have a calmer spirit. I think

that is excellent advice!

What about you? Are you impulsive and have you ever spewed a word or
two forth on email, snail mail, or a text then wish you hadn't? It
may be hard to wait but patience is one of the fruits of the spirit
mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. Take a moment and read it.

Impulsive, hasty with words, a fool? Maybe it is time to really ask
God to help you control what you say and how you say it. In the
meantime why not work on showing love to all those you come in contact
with.

Psalm 19:14(NIV) 'Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in your sight oh Lord my strength and my
redeemer.'

PRAYER: Lord I want to glorify and bring honor to you in all that I
say and do. Forgive me for the times I have been foolish with my words
and maybe hurt someone. Father it is my desire to let what comes from
my mouth be an example and not a hindrance. Help me Lord. In Jesus'
name. Amen.